Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Vice President of The Gambia on Tuesday presided over the graduation of 451 trainees at the Crab Island Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Foundation, underscoring the government’s drive to strengthen technical skills development and improve youth employability.
The ceremony, held at the Foundation’s main campus in Banjul, also featured the inauguration of a new one-story, 12-classroom facility funded by the MRC Holland Foundation.
Officials said the new block will significantly expand the institution’s training capacity and enhance access to vocational education.
Addressing graduates and stakeholders, the Vice President described TVET as a cornerstone of The Gambia’s national development agenda, stressing its importance in tackling youth unemployment and aligning training with labor market demands.
He further emphasized the need for continuous collaboration between the government, industry, and educational institutions to ensure that TVET programs are relevant and effective in preparing students.
“The Gambia urgently needs skilled, competent, and innovative young people to drive economic growth and industrial development,” he said, urging graduates to apply their skills with professionalism and a commitment to continuous learning.
The graduates completed year-long programs that combined classroom instruction, industrial attachment, and assessments under the Gambia Skills Qualification Framework (GSQF).
Certificates were awarded in a wide range of disciplines, including Electrical Installation, Solar Installation, Information Technology, Plumbing, Tailoring, Cookery and Pastry, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Auto Mechanics, Welding and Metal Fabrication, Carpentry and Joinery, Construction, and Satellite and CCTV Installation.
The Vice President also reflected on the origins of the Crab Island TVET initiative, noting that the concept was developed during his tenure as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
He acknowledged former Banjul North National Assembly Member Ousman Sillah for proposing the transformation of the former Crab Island school facility into a skills center, an idea that aligned with government efforts to expand technical education.
Government ministries, development partners, and the MRC Holland Foundation were commended for their sustained support. The Vice President said the new classroom block highlights the impact of strong partnerships in advancing technical and vocational education.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education attended the event, alongside representatives of the MRC Holland Foundation, industry partners, parents, and community stakeholders.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening TVET institutions nationwide, the Vice President described skills development as “an investment in the country’s economic future.”
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the new classroom facility and the presentation of certificates to the 451 graduates.
